Winter Pub Walks near Padstow, Cornwall

Rugged coastline. Empty beaches. Rolling moors. It’s the season to wrap up and explore Cornwall’s wild side on a winter walk from Padstow and its surroundings. Whether you strike out along miles of cliff paths, dash to a pearly cove between downpours, or summit the highest peaks on Bodmin Moor, the best place to end a rosy-cheeked ramble is by a crackling fire in a local inn.

Thaw your fingers and toes, refuel with heart-warming dishes and local tipples, and recharge for your next adventure in these cosy pubs in and around Padstow.

The Golden Lion, Padstow

As Padstow’s oldest pub, The Golden Lion is a classic spot to end walks along the South West Coast Path, the Camel Trail and The Saint’s Way. Open the door to a wood-beamed interior with parquet flooring and disused ship masts, warmed by a roaring fireplace, the aroma of home-cooked Cornish fare, and the fuzzy glow of locals and visitors socialising over beers and ciders.

St Kew Inn

A huge open fire beckoning you into the cosy glow of this historic pub isn’t the only reason to seek out St Kew Inn after a winter walk. Whether you’ve been plodding along the peaceful River Amble, taking in the countryside and woodlands on the St Kew circular loop, or stomping from the dramatic coast path at Port Isaac, hardy hikers and scenic strollers alike will adore the traditional atmosphere of this 15th-century inn. There are cask ales and extensive wine cellars, as well as award-winning dishes created from daily-changing seasonal ingredients.

The Cornish Arms, St Merryn

The perfect spot to warm your cockles after exploring St Merryn’s Seven Bays or gallivanting over the moors, this old Cornish pub on the outskirts of Padstow has been revamped in classic style. Families, dogs and walkers pile in to hunker beside the fire, sip local ales and enjoy a few rounds of pool. But what really makes this place so popular is the delicious pub food with Stein’s name behind the menu.

The Old Inn, St Breward, Bodmin Moor

In North Cornwall, when you want a change from the coastal scenery, you’ve got the rugged peaks and heathland of Bodmin Moor on the doorstep. And when you’ve filled your boots with sights of prehistoric standing stones and scaled the peaks of Brown Willy and Rough Tor, there’s nowhere more fitting to end your adventures than at the highest pub in Cornwall. The 11th-century Old Inn not only welcomes you with a roaring fire, low-beamed ceilings and a cosy ambience, but it also serves legendary moorland mixed grills and Sunday roasts.

Ring o’Bells Inn, St Issey

Another walk that makes a change from Cornwall’s coastal routes is the old pilgrim’s trail of The Saints’ Way, which crosses from the north to the south coast, between Padstow and Fowey. Set off from Padstow Harbour along country paths and winding lanes, and within three miles, you’ll be in the pretty Cornish hamlet of St Issey, where this traditional village pub serves local ales and proper pub grub. Once you’ve lapped up its charm beside the warmth of the log fire, it’s up to you whether you carry on along The Saints’ Way for a bit, or turn back to your holiday home in Padstow.

The Pityme Inn, Rock

If you’ve been padding along Daymer Bay, peeking down at the scenery from Brea Hill, or taking a trot along the coast path on the Rock-side of the Camel Estuary, most people will signpost you to The Mariners for food and drink. And while we love Ainsworth’s gastro-pub at the water’s edge, if you head inland across the countryside, you’ll come to the more local, laid-back and very cosy Pityme Inn. By all means, just flop in an armchair by the log burner to quench your thirst, or you can fill up on dishes packed with the best seasonal ingredients plucked from the surrounding coast and countryside.

The Old Custom House, Padstow

Bang on the quayside in Padstow, The Old Custom House is the perfect spot for a post-walk pint, whether you’ve been walking the Camel Trail or soaking up sea air and coastal views from Stepper Point. Dog-friendly with a warm ambience, here you can relax and refuel for more wintry walks over St Austell Brewery beers, West Country ciders and classic Cornish pub grub.

Port William, Trebarwith Strand

About 40 minutes’ drive north of Padstow, you’ll find the wild little cove of Trebarwith Strand, where you can explore sea caves and rock pools at low tide or take a windswept clifftop ramble to Tintagel’s sea-lashed fortress. Whichever you choose, once you’ve mustered an appetite in the briny air, retreat to the beachside Port William to hunker by the fire and tuck into delicious seasonal food and local ales in a cosy, dog-friendly atmosphere.

Or for something a little further afield, try…

The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor

Nestled in a picturesque coastal village about an hour and a half from Padstow, it’s really worth covering the distance to reach one of our favourite spots for a winter walk followed by fine Cornish fare. Muddy paws and walking boots are welcome at this iconic canary-yellow inn, where you can enjoy roaring fires, award-winning cuisine and fine wines, just a few minutes’ walk from one of the wildest stretches of Cornwall’s coastline.

Book a holiday cottage for winter walks in Cornwall

Can’t wait to feel the glow of these cosy local inns at the end of a scenic stroll in Cornwall? Pack your walking boots and winter coat, and escape to one of our holiday cottages in Padstow.